Erin Brockovich: Arrested for Intoxication

A night of boating gone wrong for the environmental activist

What was a fun Friday night of boating on Lake Mead near Las Vegas turned into a breathalyzer test and time spent in the Clark County Detention Center for environmental activist, Erin Brockovich.

If you’re unsure of who Erin Brockovich is, maybe you recall her name being used as a film title in 2000 and her character, played by Julia Roberts. Brockovich singlehandedly brought down a California power company in order to save a city’s water supply from further pollution, earning an obscene amount of money after winning the court case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company. If this isn’t impressive enough, Brockovich has earned no formal law or legal education.

On late Friday night, a game warden suspected Erin Brockovich under the influence of alcohol when he noticed her attempt to dock her motor boat. Edwin Lyngar, spokesperson for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said Brockovich’s breathalyzer test revealed a blood-alcohol level just over twice the legal limit of .08. Brockovich had been out on the motor boat with a male companion earlier, but was alone while trying to safely dock.

“She was not sure how to maneuver the boat into the dock,” Lyngar reported to The Associated Press. “It’s a simple thing if you can think clearly. But if you add alcohol and unfamiliarity of the area, it can all cause serious problems.”

The Agoura Hills, California resident was released from the Clark County Detention Center after posting bail at $1,000. After apologizing for her actions yesterday, Erin Brockovich made it clear she was not driving the boat intoxicated while in open waters.

Brockovich states, “At no time was the boat away from the dock and there was no public safety risk. That being said, I take drunk driving very seriously, this was clearly a big mistake, I know better and I am very sorry.” She also adds that, “after a day in the sun and with nothing to eat it appears that a couple of drinks had a greater impact than I had realized.”

Nevada law states a first-time offense of boating while intoxicated is a misdemeanor and has a fine which ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. Luckily, Brockovich will receive no jail time. Let’s hope this remains a one-time arrest for Erin Brockovich and from here on out, we’ll only read more success stories from the environmental activist.